Popcorn Bag

ABSTRACT

A microwavable bag for popcorn preparation comprises a body having an inner surface, outer surface and a bottom surface. A lid is provided with a plurality of fastener means for securing the lid to the bag. The plurality of fastener means is affixed to a plurality cloth flaps at a top portion of the body of the bag and the lid. The lid is provided with a cloth tab for easy opening/closing. A plurality of holes is provided at the body of the bag for allowing the steam to exit the bag during popping process which eliminates burning/scorching of the popcorn kernels. The bag is sealed when the lid is closed and allows easy transport of un-popped kernels and convenient storage of popped kernels. The bag is safe to the user, environment friendly, re-sealable, portable and healthful.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to microwave popcorn bags, and more particularly, to a microwave popcorn bag which is vented to reduce the temperature inside the bag to prevent the popcorn from scorching/burning.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Microwave popcorn has been commercially available for several years in single use, paper, fully-sealed bags. Although this has been a convenient way to produce and microwave popcorn, it is not the ideal method. Currently used bags made of paper must be thrown away after each use, creating waste. Being fully sealed, they create a steam environment inside the bag while popping which is the mechanism by which popcorn kernels can burn and scorch, rendering some of them inedible, again creating some waste. The steam environment can also be a safety hazard as, upon opening the bag, the steam quickly exits the bag upward, creating the potential for injury.

One of the existing microwave popcorn bags discloses a container formed of rigid material, such as microwaveable plastic, which has the advantage of being suitable for reuse but is totally unsatisfactory as a popcorn shipping and dispensing container due to its susceptibility to breakage, its substantial volume, and its relatively high cost of manufacture. A container constructed from a disposable material such as paper overcomes many of the disadvantages of rigid reusable containers, but raises questions concerning efficiency, adequate heat dispersal, and safety.

Another existing method discloses a device for concentrating the microwave energy emitted by a microwave oven to a single point or a small area. The device consists of a sheet of a low loss dielectric material together with a layer of microwave reflecting material. The device is placed on the floor of the oven and on the opposite side of the product heated from the source of microwave energy in order to concentrate the microwave energy to a bag of microwave popcorn. However, the device does not allow a person to view the popcorn as it is popping.

In some other existing popcorn bags, a microwave lossy-powdered or particulate material is used in the base area. The lossy material itself heats up and radiates that heat to the kernels located close to it, thereby adding to the heat induced in the corn kernels by direct impingement of the microwaves on the kernels. However, clumping corn kernels in one area of a popping container causes some of the kernels to rest substantially away from the heat generated by the lossy material. Since some of the popcorn receives a minimal amount of additional heat from the microwave lossy material in the popping container, it will pop more slowly and less efficiently, if at all. However, none of these bags disclose how to employ such lossy material to improve the microwave popping of popcorn.

Therefore, there is a need for a microwave popcorn bag for popcorn preparation that is safer for the user. Such a needed popcorn bag would be efficient in minimizing waste and environmental friendly. Further, this needed popcorn bag would be reusable, re-sealable, portable and healthful. The present embodiment accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present embodiment provides a microwavable bag for popping popcorn kernels. The bag comprises a body with an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom surface. A lid is used for covering the bag and a plurality of fastener means is provided to the lid for securing the lid to the bag. The plurality of fastener means is a plurality of Velcro fasteners, each comprising a hook part and a loop part that is affixed to a plurality cloth flaps at a top portion of the body of the bag and the lid. The lid is included with a cloth tab for ease of opening/closing. A plurality of holes is provided at the body of the bag for removing steam produced inside the bag during microwaving process.

The bag is adapted to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and bag is placed in a microwave oven for preparation of popcorn. Each kernel contains a small amount of water at its center. Microwaves agitate the water molecules creating heat and causing them to boil and expand. This causes popcorn to pop and then steam is created/released into the bag. The plurality of holes is large enough to allow steam to exit the bag and small enough to prevent un-popped kernels to escape during transport if used in a portable setting. The plurality of holes allows steam to exit the bag during the popping process that virtually eliminates burning/scorching of the popcorn kernels. The bag may be made of polypropylene fabric that is microwave safe.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a popcorn bag in fully expanded configuration with a top lid open;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bag in fully expanded configuration showing a plurality of holes on the body of the bag;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag in flat configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bag showing kernels before popping process;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bag in flat configuration when kept in a microwave oven;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bag in expanded configuration when kept in a microwave oven; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the bag in fully expanded configuration after the preparation of popcorn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following describes example embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a popcorn bag 10 in fully expanded configuration with a top lid 24 open. The bag 10 comprising a body 12 having an inner surface 14, an outer surface 16 and a bottom surface 26 (see FIG. 2). A plurality of holes 18 at the body 12 of the bag 10 is for allowing steam to escape from the bag 10. The plurality of holes 18 is large enough to allow steam to exit the bag 10 and small to prevent the un-popped kernels to escape during transport if used in a portable setting. The plurality of holes 18 allows steam to exit the bag 10 during the popping process, virtually eliminates burning/scorching of the popcorn kernels.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bag 10 in fully expanded configuration showing a plurality of holes 18 on the body 12 (see FIG. 1) of the bag 10. The bag 10 is provided with the lid 24 for covering the bag 10. The lid 24 is included with a cloth tab 22 for ease of opening/closing. During the popping process, the popping of the kernels expands the bag 10 into a free standing box shaped container. The bag 10 is resealable which allows for easy transport of un-popped kernels and convenient storage of popped kernels.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag in flat configuration. The present embodiment of the bag 10 also serves as a convenient way to transport un-popped kernels for use at a later time. The un-popped kernels can be inserted into the bag 10, which can then be conveniently sealed and folded into a compact package, like a wallet. The bag 10 is made of cloth and it can be cleaned for repeated use.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bag 10 showing kernels before popping process. Every un-popped kernel contains a tiny amount of water in its core. Microwaves cause these water molecules to become agitated and friction occurs, which heats the water molecules and causes them to expand and become steam. Eventually they expand with enough pressure to cause the kernel to pop, creating popcorn. With each kernel that pops that steam is released into the bag 10 and collects there. After all the kernels pop, there is a significant amount of steam, which then exits through the plurality of openings (see FIG. 3) of the bag 10. The lid 24 is provided with a plurality of fastener means i.e. a plurality of Velcro fasteners each of which comprises a hook part 20 a and a loop part 20 b for securing the lid 24 to the bag 10. The plurality of Velcro fasteners each of which comprising a hook part 20 a and a loop part 20 b is affixed to a plurality of cloth flaps at a top portion of the body 12 (see FIG. 1) of the bag 10 and the lid 24.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the popcorn bag 10 in flat configuration when kept in a microwave oven 28. The bag 10 is adapted to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and the bag 10 being placed in a microwave oven 28 for preparation of popcorn.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bag 10 in expanded configuration when kept in a microwave oven 28. The bag 10 is expanded into a free standing box shaped container during the preparation of the kernels. The bag 10 is made of cloth and can be cleaned for repeated use. The bag 10 may also be made of polypropylene fabric that is microwave safe.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the bag 10 in fully expanded configuration after the preparation of popcorn. In the present embodiment, the bag 10 is a resealable enclosure which allows the user to consume some of the popcorn at one time, and then seal the bag 10 for convenient consumption at a later time. The bag 10 pops corn at a greatly reduced temperature due to venting and the reduced temperature minimizes burning/scorching of popcorn. The bag 10 also provides a safety feature by minimizing possible injury by steam burn.

The present embodiment also provides a bag 10 which is safer to the user, efficient in minimizing waste, environmentally friendly, re-sealable, portable, and healthful.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag for preparing popcorn comprising: a bag having a body, the body having an inner surface, outer surface and a bottom surface, the body being expandable during preparation of popcorn in the bag; a lid for covering the bag, the lid being provided with a plurality of fastener means for securing the lid to the bag, the plurality of fastener means being affixed to a plurality of cloth flaps at a top portion of the body of the bag and the lid, the lid being included with a cloth tab for ease of opening/closing; and a plurality of holes at the body of the bag for allowing steam to escape from the bag; whereby the bag being adaptable to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and placed in a microwave oven for preparation of popcorn at a desired temperature to minimize burning/scorching of popcorn.
 2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the plurality of holes is large to allow the steam to exit the bag during microwaving process.
 3. The bag of claim 1 wherein the plurality of holes allows the steam to escape from the bag thereby preventing burning/scorching of the popcorn.
 4. The bag of claim 3 wherein the plurality of holes is small to prevent the escape of un-popped kernels from the bag.
 5. A bag for preparing popcorn for use in a microwave oven comprising: a bag having a body, the body having an inner surface, outer surface and a bottom surface, the body being expandable during preparation of popcorn in the bag; a lid for covering the bag, the lid being provided with a plurality of fastener means for securing the lid to the bag, the plurality of fastener means being affixed to a plurality of cloth flaps at a top portion of the body of the bag and the lid, the lid being included with a cloth tab for ease of opening/closing; and a plurality of holes at the body of the bag for allowing steam to escape from the bag. whereby the bag being adaptable to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and placed in a microwave oven for preparation of popcorn at a desired temperature to minimize burning/scorching of popcorn.
 6. The bag of claim 5 wherein the plurality of fastener means is a plurality of Velcro fasteners.
 7. The bag of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality Velcro fasteners comprising a hook part and a loop part affixed to a plurality of cloth flaps at the top portion of the body of the bag and the lid
 8. The bag of claim 5 wherein the bag is resealable and allows transportation of un-popped kernels.
 9. A bag for preparing popcorn for use in a microwave oven comprising: a bag having a body, the body having an inner surface, outer surface and a bottom surface, the body being expandable during preparation of popcorn in the bag; a lid for covering the bag, the lid being provided with a plurality of fastener means for securing the lid to the bag, the plurality of fastener means being affixed to a plurality of cloth flaps at a top portion of the body of the bag and the lid, the lid being included with a cloth tab for ease of opening/closing; and a plurality of holes at the body of the bag for allowing steam to escape from the bag. whereby the bag being adaptable to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and placed in a microwave oven for preparation of popcorn at a desired temperature to minimize burning/scorching of popcorn.
 10. The bag of claim 9 wherein the bag is resealable and convenient for consumption.
 11. The bag of claim 9 wherein the bag is foldable and reusable.
 12. The bag of claim 9 wherein the bag is made of fabric which may be cleaned for later use. 